Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  Build Quality? Lack of Power? - 2004 Audi A4
  By pgk22 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Within less than 1 yr of ownership been to the dealer 7 times now to fix the drivers power seat. Audi just doesnt seem to get the hydraulics of the power seat right? Parts again questionable? Owned a 3-series BMW for 7 yrs without any problems. Engine lacks low end torque. The other problems are interior room for the passengers in the back.

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  Lease a new Audi not a new one - 1997 Audi A4
  By cjhaar - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I was very excited to get this car at first. For the first year and a half I loved it then things went horribly wrong. Even though the car was "Audi Assured" the oil pump went out because it was not maintained properly before I got it. Thus causing the oil pump, turbo (twice), cam, and head to fail totalling $7K in repairs. Plus the dealer I took it to, Jordan Motors in Des Moines Iowa took over a month to fix it. Then I got in to a small collision and it was over $6K just to fix it. Dont buy this car or any car from them unless you can get it fixed for free. Even then dont buy anything from them.

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  Beware of Timing Belt Nightmare!!! - 1997 Audi A4
  By badaudi - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I was so excited to purchase my Audi. Now, I cant wait to sell it ASAP. I have had very expensive repairs, extensive headaches, and extraordinary POOR customer service. I specifically asked if timing belt should be changed at 60,000 miles. I was told "NO, manual states 90,000." I was driving 70mph and my timing belt completely blew at 61,000 miles and I almost lost my life when the car stopped suddenly. Audi refuses to assist in any way (or show concern), even though the part was found to be, essentially, defective. Very expensive repair. Buyer Beware! I have been contacted about a pending class action lawsuit for this.

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  Beware of A4 - 1998 Audi A4
  By jaycepe - May 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 35k in 09/01 and it has been a big disappointment. Two weeks after I drove it off the lot it needed a new front bearing. Since then Ive had to bring the car in to the dealer for numerous problems (The Check Engine light seems to appear every 6 months). Most of the problems were minor and were covered under the Audi Assured warranty but the real kicker is my engine died. The car was in the shop for three weeks. Audi did replace the engine and turbo at their cost, but during the three weeks the car was in the shop they refused to provide a loaner

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  Thank God its gone - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Matt - May 8 - 1:20 pm

  It was a dream wagon but turned out to be a nightmare. Goes through tires and brakes with at an incredibly fast pace due to its enormous weight. The suspension is a huge selling point giving you that capability but it was a hassle from day one with failures in the electronics and controls. There were numerous times where the check engine light would come on due to failed electric sensors. The V6, although a twin turbo unit, is underpowered for a car this heavy. I came to know the Audi A3 inside and out as I was in a service loaner A3 more than my actual car as it was in the shop ALL THE TIME. Never own one out of warranty. The warranty companies wont cover them anymore due to its reputation.

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  The Wanderer - 2016 Audi A4
  By Tom K - May 6 - 3:51 pm

  Very disappointed with steering. On straight roads and at speeds over 60mph the car is ALL over the road. You will need to work hard on a long trip to keep it on track. I had the car brought in right away to Princeton Audi. The result, they said that the steering is within correct limits. My conclusion is this is either a very poor design by Audi or Princeton Audi Service is incapable of correcting the problem. My advice, make sure to test drive at speed over 60mph before purchasing.

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  Audi Is German for Crap - 1998 Audi A4
  By stacie - April 30 - 2:00 am

  suspension replaced $1700, dealer thought the head gasket could be sealed but coolant still leaking. Was told that it is now a cracked block. I already paid $1500 for the head gasket now I have to cough up $3000 for the block. I was going to sell the car and now all I can get is trade-in value. Do not buy this car.

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  Make Sure You Have a Replacment Car - 1998 Audi A4
  By Live & Learn - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Least reliable car I have ever owned. Most expensive to repair car I have ever owned. Broken timing belt cost me over 6K to repair and it was 3 months at the dealer before I saw it again. Headlight switch goes out twice a year...every year. Front end is too low to the ground, gets pulled off by parking blocks. Bad weld on engine needed repair. Water pump, fan clutch, electric fan, ball joints, window washer pump, among repairs I can recall.

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  too less horses - 2003 Audi A4
  By caligulanj - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Quality made. Looks great. But the engine is a failure. Below 2200rmp nothing moves. Then, when the Turbo kicks in engine gets VERY noisy. This car has deserved a much better engine. Advice to Audi: take the 1.8T out and replace it with VWs VR6 from the GTI

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  Unhappy A8L Owner - 2003 Audi A8
  By DontBuyAnAudi - March 10 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been in the shop 3 times since I leased it on 2/1/03 for various problems. The tire pressure warning light came on the very first day I had the car (tire pressure sensors were ultimately replaced). The fuel gage was faulty and I ran out of gas while the gage read 1/3 tank full ("fuel gage sender" was ultimately replaced). The check engine light came on the very next day after having picked up the car from the shop the second time. It would not hold an idle and died unless I kept my foot on the gas ("instrument cluster" was replaced). The navigation system shorted ("navigation cd assembly" was replaced).